Jean-Claude Savoie's silence persists 3 years after python attack

As theforewomanin the front row of the jury box stood and stated the words "not guilty," Jean-ClaudeSavoiethrew his head back, his mouth agapeand took a deep breath.

Then he fought back tears

On the other side of the courtroom in the second row,MandyTrecartinclosed her eyes momentarily, opened themand stared straight ahead.

There were no tears.

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One week earlier, a remarkably composed Trecartinsat in the witness box in that very courtroom inCampbelltonand described howSavoie, now 40, was once her "best friend."

That was the case untilTrecartin'ssons ConnorBarthe, 6, and NoahBarthe, 4 were killed bySavoie'sAfrican rock python when they were at asleepoverinSavoie'sapartment next door with his three-year old son.

That was more than three years ago Aug. 5, 2013.

Trecartinhadn't come face-to-face with her one-time best friend since that day until she testified in court last week.

The sad details of a tragic case that made headlines around the world played out in aCampbelltoncourtroom over the last eight days.

Information Morning - Moncton7:58Not guilty - Jean-Claude Savoie trial

CBC reporter Bridget Yard followed the trialNeitherTrecartinnorSavoiehadever really spoken publicly about that sad night since it occurred, aside fromTrecartin'stestimony in court last week.

Both left the courthouse Wednesday evening without speaking to reporters. One wonders if they ever will.

"He is a rather reserved and shy person," saidSavoie'slawyer, LeslieMatchim.

"He left the province immediately after this tragedy.

"As you know there was quite a limelight on him and he just doesn't take well to all that attentionand so for those reasons he left."

The only one speaking forTrecartinwas Crown prosecutor PierreRoussel.

"Of course they are disappointed, but it is what it is," Roussel said.

During his closing argument Thursday,MatchimnotedSavoietreated theBartheboys from next door as if theywere his own children, picking them up at daycare,and taking them to hisfather's farm the day before that fateful night when the animalscents the boys picked up on the trip to the farm may have been what drew the python to them.

That is something he absolutely has to carry for the rest of his life.- Leslie Matchim, defence lawyer

InSavoie's911 call to report the killings, withthe snake still on the loose and his own son in the apartment,Savoietold the 911 operator. "I've got another kid up there."

Matchim said in his closing statement: "He didn't distinguish between the neighbours and his own son."

That message was reiterated byMatchimfollowing the verdict.

"He was really like family to these two victim boys," saidMatchimto reporters.

"That is something he absolutely has to carry for the rest of his life."

The verdict, saidMatchim, was vindication, but not victory.

"This is not a case where there are winners. This tragedy took its tremendous toll on him."